Counseling Like the Good Shepherd

Counseling Like the Good Shepherd:  Leading Counselees to Rest in Jesus
John 10

A few years ago I was running some errands one afternoon when I noticed that one car tire was almost completely flat.  I slowly made my way to a tire store.  There was a long line and wait.  Finally, I spoke to an employee:  “I see my car parked over there…has the tire been repaired?” 

“Let me check…you’re good to go,” he said as he handed me the keys.

“I think we need to settle up, first.  I haven’t paid yet.” 

“It’s all taken care of…next time you need some tires, think about us.”

It was only about $10, but I felt like I’d hit the lottery!  I had a need (admittedly, a pretty small one), and it was just nice to have someone extend a little extra kindness.

When our counselees come to us, they also come because they have needs — often large needs.  They may be processing their own illness, or the illness of someone especially beloved.  Perhaps the harshness of death has invaded their lives, or sin (their own or someone else’s) has intruded and produced its deadly “fruit” in their lives.  Perhaps they are struggling with a significant decision or event and the uncertainty of it has provoked great stress for them.  Maybe there is no major issue, but the tyranny of multiple daily distresses has just worn them out.  They are weary.

Counselees come to us with weaknesses and burdens.  Scripture uses various images to denote their position; today we want to see what God says about His people being His “sheep.”  We think of sheep as being cute and cuddly — your children may have sheep stuffed animals and they just look so adorable.  The reality is different than the image; remember why sheep need shepherds —

• Sheep are dependent — they are susceptible to the attacks of wolves and other predators. They have few natural weapons to defend against attackers (they don’t have tusks like an elephant, speed like a gazelle, or even a shell like a turtle).   And they have trouble finding what they need on their own, which is why God, as David’s shepherd (Ps. 23) leads him to new and green pastures for feeding and water sources for drinking.  Sheep are not even naturally inclined to find food or water on their own.
• Sheep are odoriferous — they don’t smell good. Their wool picks up the scents of nature, blood, and waste.  This image (and smell) fits the life of people (even God’s people) well — we are susceptible to sin, and our lives carry the stink of complications of sin and suffering.
• Sheep are wanderers — they are prone to getting lost and wandering into trouble. (And wandering back into trouble once they have been released.)  Even more, they are prone to following false shepherds and experiencing the tragedies associated with false shepherds.  Some of our counselees have been deluded by the Evil One, followed some of his false teachers or believed in his worldly philosophy.

All those realities suggest that the sheep aren’t going to be restful, content, or at peace.  They will have trouble.  And our counselees are like those sheep; they are needy and restless.  And they need kindness.  And hope.  And truth. 

As good biblical counselors, you know that Jesus Christ is the answer to these dilemmas for our counselees (and us).  Just who is this Man, Jesus?  John’s gospel pictures Christ as Healer, Teacher, the Water of life, the Bread of life, the True Vine, the Way, the Truth, the Resurrection and the Life.  But another image dominates as well.    In John 10 Jesus reveals Himself as the Good Shepherd.  That title speaks of His character, His work, and His person.  He is our counselee’s Leader when they are lost.  He is their Guide when they are weary.  He is how they will find rest in their needs.  He is their Savior who will care for them. 

This afternoon we want to see three pictures of Christ as the Good Shepherd in John 10, how those pictures will lead our counselees to rest in Him, and then some implications for our counseling ministries.

How is Jesus the Shepherd of His sheep?  John provides three attributes of Jesus as Shepherd.

1. Jesus is the True Shepherd (vv. 1-6)
2. Jesus is the Protecting Shepherd (vv. 7-10)
3. Jesus is the Sacrificing Shepherd (vv. 11-18)

Download the rest of this message on John 10.

“Shepherd” by Reza Vaziri is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.